If Avisa Partners has been identified, the practices of this agency are commonplace in communication agencies which offer all – or almost all – e-reputation strategies to their clients.
In Belgium, all large companies and some politicians also use it. For Thierry Bouckaert of the Akkanto agency, it is not shocking that communicators can correct articles online for their clients. “Anyone can contribute to Wikipedia. It’s no wonder, then, that a business enterprise decides that it can have a say in what is said regarding it. Its Wikipedia page is not the company’s web page, but the latter is perfectly entitled to put information regarding itself. The same goes for personalities. Whether they do so personally or delegate communication experts for this purpose“.
However, Thierry Bouckaert believes that for people, the issues of e-reputation are less tense in French-speaking Belgium than in France. On the other hand, the situation is completely different in the North of the country, both for the political leaders and for the big bosses: “The starification system is very strong in Flanders, it is much more important than in Wallonia. It’s a cultural question, the Flemish are very rooted in their community, while the French-speakers are turned towards France. Badbuzz has therefore arrived much faster in Flanders and all media personalities can be exposed to it.“.
There is no doubt that the Brussels agency of Avisa Partners – located in the heart of the royal district – has some great local clients. So be careful when reading certain Wikipedia pages… for many companies and personalities, they are one more tool in their communication.